Thoughts from Discovery 2022, and let the FIFA footy begin
Gaming News Canada spoke with Responsible Gambling Council CEO Shelley White about last week's industry gathering, and we introduce a new section on wagering and the World Cup which begins Sunday.
In this issue:
No Twitter Spaces today
Three Thoughts from Discovery 2022
Putting forward the FIFA foot(y)
The Company Line - Suzo Happ
No Twitter Spaces today
Your humble dispatcher is putting on his hat as head honcho for Sports Media Canada’s 25th Achievement Awards luncheon in the big smoke this afternoon (Parleh props to the Class of 2022). So, we’ll be taking a hiatus from Twitter Spaces and return on Nov. 24.
And in case you missed it, Lindsay Slader from GeoComply and Rivalry’s Steven Salz joined us on Spaces last week. You can listen to what they had to say on the latest Gaming News Canada Show podcast.
Three Thoughts from Discovery 2022
Time and travel were our enemies last week, so we weren’t able to dive into the Discovery 2022 conference hosted by the Responsible Gambling Council. During The Gaming News Canada Show on Twitter Spaces last week, Sightline Payments’ Canadian executive Will Hill talked about the importance of the conference, done both in-person and virtually for the first time.
“This is a really important conversation to engage in,” Hill said. “The Responsible Gambling Council creates a national conversation around responsible gambling, and the gaming industry benefits from their expertise.”
We caught up with RGC CEO Shelley White on Tuesday via Google Meet for her parting thoughts on the three-day RG rendezvous. With apologies to Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek and their 32 Thoughts franchise, we borrowed the brand (albeit with 29 fewer thoughts).
“There was definitely a commitment to doing more with responsible gambling by all of the stakeholders,” White told us. “Consumer protection, positive play, responsible gambling. Whatever term you want to use, this is a high priority.
“Responsible gambling is on an upward trajectory that’s being embraced not only in Canada, but across the U.S., Asia, Australia and Europe. With new technology, there are now some extraordinary tools available along with human interaction to create a safer gambling environment. And there’s the ongoing importance of research. You’re experimenting, you’re testing, you’re learning and you’re adapting.”
“Given the complexity of issues (around RG), collaboration is important and that will accelerate the pace of change. We shouldn’t be working in silos.”
“It’s all about the customer, and we’re hearing this from industry leaders across the board. Whether it’s BCLC, Flutter’s Play Well, Kindred’s Journey to Zero, OLG and others, the industry doesn’t want to be generating revenue from individuals experiencing a gambling problem. This is entertainment and we are ensuring there are greater consumer protections. . . . that games don’t encourage people to gamble more than they have the means to do.”
White also said during our conversation that Ontario’s regulated gaming industry has received high praise for protecting consumers.
“It’s interesting to hear people coming from other jurisdictions who rave about their experience here. That’s because the bar has been set very high in terms of what the expectations are for player protection, and every operator is required to operate at that level. With our RG Check program, there are mechanisms in place that will evaluate each operator in a consistent way and give them feedback.
“When they achieve their RG Check, it’s a point of pride.”
The amount of advertising and marketing dollars being spent, and how much of that money is being spent by operators on responsible gambling messaging, will continue to be monitored closely, she said.
Putting the FIFA foot(y) forward
The men’s World Cup of Soccer gets rolling Sunday with hosts Qatar meeting Ecuador. So, we’ll be dedicating a section of our Thursday dispatch to the tournament from a gaming perspective over the next few fortnights.
NorthStar Bets is having some fun with a #90MinStatHoliday initiative around Canada’s opening match against Belgium next Wednesday, the men’s national team’s first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Entain’s global betting action so far shows that Canadians are putting their money on John Herdman’s gang in numbers that make them among the most patriotic of the competing countries.
ESPN betting scribe David Purdum reports that U.S. sportsbooks are taking a wait-and-see approach to how popular the World Cup will be with bettors.
Almost 65 per cent of respondents in a UK survey who are footy fans are concerned with the flood of betting ads targeted at them.
PointsBet, which has been beating the drum about its in-game betting products being a marketplace difference-maker, announced Tuesday it will make available more than 130 live-betting options for Ontario customers during the World Cup.
BetMGM has brought on board former U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard as a brand ambassador around its free-to-play games and promotions for the World Cup.
Former England star Steven Gerrard is joining M88 Mansion in a similar capacity.
Gaming operators in France are saying “on promet” to cut down on the number of ads during La Coupe du Monde FIFA.
Some bon mots from the CEO of Kindred Group on the FIFA tourney, including his pick to win.
PaddyPower’s World Cup commercial featuring former England goal-a-thon man Peter Crouch is a cracker.
And hey, here’s some good old-fashioned conversation about Canada’s chances in Qatar, courtesy of Parleh Media Group’s Room 4-4-2.
The Company Line - SuzoHapp
This week, we give TCL TLC to long-time gaming business SuzoHapp, which announced this week that it will be putting its sports betting terminals into Fallsview Casino Resort and Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls. The Illinois-based company has a similar deal with Great Canadian Entertainment for 10 casinos across Ontario.
Birthdate: 1986
Home Base: Mount Prospect, Illinois
Founder: Frank Happ
Raison D’Etre: SuzoHapp, which has a supplier licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, has its fingers in a plethora of pies across the gaming industry, providing products, aftermarket parts - and more recently, cash management software and hardware solutions.
If you’d like to have your company featured in this section to profile the players in the Canadian gaming space, please drop us a note at steve@theparleh.com.
On the Home Front
Covers chronicler Geoff Zochodne caught up last week with Attorney-General of Ontario Doug Downey, who believes the black gaming market is disappearing.
Speaking of the AG, he grabbed a spot on Toronto Life’s top-50 list of The Influentials 2022 for leading the Douglas Ford government to open Ontario’s regulated igaming industry.
Zochodne, on the platform Elon Musk is doing his best to lay to rest, connected the dots this week between the Ontario government’s Fall Economic Statement and the business of gaming.
Sonja Lindenberg of iGamingNEXT wrote about a handsome bump in share price for Toronto-based Rivalry yesterday after launching its new interactive casino platform. Cory Roberts at CDC Gaming Reports also has a good read on Rivalry playing the nostalgia card with Casino.exe.
The provincial government in Saskatchewan is creating a crown corporation to oversee all gambling activities.
Dave Briggs writes the decision by Gateway Casinos and Entertainment to keep its Ontario casino on the Western Fair grounds in London is very good news for the province’s horse racing industry.
TheScore’s Aubrey Levy and Dan Sabreen participated in Game Plan’s latest #PowerTheJourney podcast.
Bayes Esports is now an AGCO-licensed supplier and operating in Ontario through an extension of its data deal with Bet365.
On the Football North podcast last week, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie cited assistance with the league’s next U.S. broadcast deal as among the items where Genius Sports has provided support in the new partnership. Expect to hear more about the CFL/Genius alliance when Ambrosie gives his state-of-the-league address this week in Regina.
888casino is about to release its inventory of 1X2 Network games in the Ontario market.
Let’s Get Together
Waterloo-based Quarter4 will be delivering its AI-powered sports betting data to North American operator Native Sportsbook Solutions.
Mike Tyson is being paid by a Brazilian igaming company to promote its products in Latin America. And if you don’t believe us. . . .
It’s a bit beyond the purview of this newsletter, but what the hey. Toronto FC and BMO are collaborating on a Women in Soccer Fellowship.
Regulators in Maryland have approved the gaming partnership between Fanatics and the NFL Washington Commanders.
Ahead of its January launch in the Buckeye State, BetSkybox is partnering with U.S. Integrity.
Speaking of U.S. Integrity, it will be working with sports betting exchange STX Partners, soon to be opening its doors in Ontario.
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the German Sports Betting Association have put their Hans Hancock on an MOU to jointly promote safe betting, etc.
Speaking of the IBIA, it handed out a new membership card to Mohegan, owners and operators of the Fallsview and Niagara Casino businesses in the Falls.
Matters of M&A
Apollo is prepared to sell its stake in Vegas-based slots maker AGS.
LSports is acquiring Statscore in a deal involving Israeli and Polish sports data companies.
Quarter(s) Pole
The Earnings+More newsletter this morning provides snapshots of Q3 results for affiliates Better Collective and Catena Media. More on BC’s latest financials here, and click here for more deets on Catena’s earnings.
During its investor check-in yesterday, FanDuel said it’s on the road to annual profitability.
Earnings+More debuted its Due Diligence series this week with a deep dive into the quest for profitability by DraftKings.
FansUnite Entertainment touted record revenue in its Q3 report on Tuesday.
Sportradar is reporting its first-ever profit for its U.S. business since being listed on the Nasdaq.
Light & Wonder’s new CEO weighed in on the company’s third-quarter earnings.
Q3 wasn’t very kind to esports business FaZe Clan.
Galaxy Gaming also released its third-quarter results this week.
States Side Stories
The latest report from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming positions BetMGM as the operator most likely to battle FanDuel for top dog status in the U.S. online sports betting business.
As reported by Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams yesterday, MaximBet is closing shop.
Dave Briggs wrote about the battle between Illinois and New Jersey for “We’re No. 2” bragging rights in the American online sports betting market.
Good stuff from the keyboard of Matthew Waters at Legal Sports Reports on the effect online sports betting is having on the demographics of retail casinos.
Katharine Sayre reported for the Wall Street Journal on the Betting Business Bureau investigating customer complaints about delays in withdrawing funds from gaming apps.
Good reading from Mark Saxon of Sports Handle on the beatdown Proposition 27 took in California.
The clubhouse leaders, courtesy of Ryan Butler’s Twitter account, to launch when Maryland launches legal sports wagering next week.
Good guy JJ Watt took a moment from helping an elderly woman across the street (OK, that’s not true) to help out a sports bettor who was the victim of an officiating error in last weekend’s Cardinals-Rams tilt.
Pete Rose has written MLB commissioner Rob Manfred seeking another chance for consideration to be inducted into Cooperstown. Sigh. . . . .
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission held a roundtable discussion on advertising as it moves towards legalizing sports betting in the state.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched a Don’t Gamble With Kids campaign in response to far too many incidents across the state of children being left unattended while their parents and/or others gamble.
A Texas senator has introduced a resolution to open the door for legal sports betting and casino in the state. In betting parlance, the odds of it happening ain’t great.
Chris Altruda, pounding the keyboard for USBets.com, delivered his thoughts on Mattress Mack’s lottery vs. sports betting take.
Speaking of Double M/MattyMac/MaMa, he stopped by Las Vegas to pick up his wheelbarrow-load of cash from his World Series winnings.
Speaking of Altruda, he tweeted out a rather cool graphic on states’ sports betting tax revenues south of the border.
Legal Sports Reporter writer Mike Mazzeo joined Craig Mish on SportsGrid’s NewsWire show to discuss the legal sports betting scene in the Empire State.
What inflation? Wayne Parry of the people’s wire service wrote about one helluva quarter for the commercial casino industry.
The Jets, Jets, Jets are going, going, going after Fubo Gaming in a bun fight over their sponsorship deal.
The gatekeepers of Chicago suburb Arlington Heights have opened the door for a retail sportsbook to be located near a proposed new stadium for Da Bears.
Good reading from Ken Adams of CDC Gaming Reports on the demise of the riverboat casino in Mississippi.
A Ohio prep school has been granted a couple of sports betting licences by the state’s regulators.
Sports betting operators in the Hoosier State enjoyed a very good month.
It wasn’t the same story in the Hawkeye State.
In Kansas, the bettors beat the books last month.
The latest on the move towards legal sports wagering in Kentucky.
And, finally, you can now bet on mini-putt in Wyoming and Colorado. . .
Across the Pond
Gaming operators in Germany are more than a little miffed with the increasing number of player reimbursement cases.
From the Department of We’re Not Fooling Around: Ireland’s government is really cracking down on social media advertising and sponsorship by sportsbook operators.
The European and Gaming Association, with VIXIO Gambling Compliance, recently hosted a webinar on reducing gambling harm.
Entertain and Sportsbet have both responded to an inquiry into gambling harm Down Under.
The powers-that-be at UEFA are introducing an anti-match-fixing education program.
The Swedish government is about to place a ban on unlicensed gaming ads.
Online gaming revenue is up 15 per cent year over year in Lithuania.
An Aussie journalist cast a Spockian eyebrow at the latest proposal by the country’s government to reduce problem gambling.
Kindred Group is a participant in the fight against climate change.
Esports Reports
OverActive Media marketing guru Matt McGlynn spoke with Kevin Hitt at Sports Business Journal about the recently completed Overwatch League Playoffs.
Deloitte released this week its latest report on the esports industry in Europe.
The European Parliament has passed a vote to recognize and fund esports and video games.
Singapore will be the host country for the IOC’s Olympic Esports Week next June.
The UK-based Women in Esports committee has added seven new members.
The senior software architect at Bayes Sports got out his crystal ball to look at what’s ahead for the esports industry.
Media Musings
VSiN’s new deal with Gow Media will increase its presence on radio across the U.S. of A.
Esports tournament organizer BLAST has launched its own live viewing platform.
Quick Hits
Sports Info Solutions CEO Dan Hannigan-Daley did the Q and A thing with SBC’s Erin-Marie Gallagher about the data revolution on this side of the pond.
Former MLB outfielder Yasiel Puig is in scalding hot water for lying to the feds about his participating in an illegal gambling operation.
GeoComply CEO Anna Sainsbury spoke at Web Summit ‘22 about geolocation’s role in deterring fraud.
A LeoVegas manager was arrested last week on allegations of insider trading.
Rege Behe reported for CDC Gaming Reports that Global Gaming Women is looking to set up an international committee that will include the true north strong and free.
Jamie Garcia at Gaming Labs asks if the gaming industry is ready to join the metaverse.
Count Naomi Osaka and Tom Brady among the masses who took a Penn racquet to the derriere from the FTX collapse last week.
And finally, ESPN’s Purdum has a message (PG-13) for Twitter’s new gatekeeper.
People on the Move
Leigh Hughes has had the “interim” removed from his title and is the new CEO for Montreal-based React Gaming.
Sally Denby has been appointed Chief Financial Officer at Aristocrat Leisure.
FOTP Benjie Cherniak is joining Aussie sports betting startup ZeroFlucs as a Strategic Advisor.
Socure VP Gene DiMira is the newest member of the Association of Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists’ advisory council.
Rivalry has appointed Luke Fischer as Head of Operations for its business in the Isle of Man.
Rush Street Interactive has promoted Andrew Galea to Product Director, Data & Analytics.
LeoVegas Group head of compliance Abby Cosgrave has been added to the board of directors at BeyondPlay.
Penn Capital executive Eric Green is joining the board of directors at GAN.
Tim De Borle is stepping down as CEO of Napoleon Sports & Casino.
PokerStars USA is bringing on board poker streamer David Kaye as an ambassador.
Jeffrey Bomben has joined OLG as a Social Media Manager after doing the same role with Kids Help Phone.
Anika Mustafiz has been hired by theScore as an Executive Assistant.
Brin Gibson is stepping down as Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Tony Thomas is the new Chief Marketing Officer for BlueBet Holdings’ business Down Under.
Classified (Jobs) Information
The Responsible Gambling Council has a 14-month full-time contract available for an Associate Director, RG Plus.
A plethora of gigs up for grabs at EnthusiastGaming include posts in Toronto and Alberta.
Catena Media is looking for a Software Development Lead to work in Canada or the U.S. of A.
Strive Gaming is hiring a Data Analyst and is also looking for a Customer Operations Agent.
WynnBET is searching for a Licensing Specialist to work in Vegas.
Intelitics has an opening in the UK for a Sales Development Representative.
OpenBet has a whole lot of jobs to fill around the globe, including opportunities in Montreal and Vancouver.
C’est la meme chose for FanDuel, too.
And Rivalry has a rather robust roster of job postings right now.
Better Collective is hiring someone to lead its business in the homeland of new Hockey Hall of Famers Daniel Alfredsson, and Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
Paysafe is hiring a Business Development Manager for its Madrid office.
Halifax-based Covers is in the market for a Commercial Content Editor.
The American Gaming Association is looking for a Senior Manager, Events.
Canadian Women & Sport is seeking a Director, Marketing & Growth.
iGaming Group is hiring a Compliance Coordinator in Malta.
The National Hockey League is hiring a Director, Multicultural Engagement & Integration at its New York HQ.
MLSE is seeking a Specialist, Talent Strategy & Player Relations to work for Toronto FC and the Raptors.
Wanted by the Edmonton-based Nation Network: A Manager, Partnership Development.
Canada Soccer Business has an opening for a Manager, Partnership Service & Marketing.
Activision Blizzards has jobs available in the Art and Animation divisions.
The Canadian Olympic Committee is hiring a Program Manager, NSO and Sport System Relations.
Rogers Sports & Media is on the lookout for a Manager, Customer Lifecycle - Sportsnet Now.
The Athletic is looking to hire a Senior Editor, Newsletters.
Coming Soon to a Town/Screen Near You
Sarah Said, who covers the CFL for Parleh Media Group, will host a Grey Cup gathering presented by Bet99 at The Pint Public House in Toronto on Sunday afternoon/evening.
Tickets are available for next week’s SponsorshipX conference in Montreal.
ESPN head honcho Jimmy Pitaro is among the speakers on the agenda for the Sports Business Journal Media Innovators conference in The Big Apple, Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
Registration is open for the Casino Esport Conference at the Alexis Park Hotel Resort in Vegas, Feb. 28-March 1.
The same for the Feb. 16-17 Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association’s Winter Conference, also in Vegas.
SBC released this week its conferences calendar for 2023, including the Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto next June.
About the Numbers
As we touched on above, sportsbooks and bettors are preparing to embrace what is arguably the biggest sporting event on the planet, with more than half the world tuning in to watch the last men’s World Cup four years ago.
With just three days until Ecuador and host nation Qatar kick off, The Parleh’s Room 4-4-2 crew share their picks for this year’s Golden Boot winner as the tournament’s highest goal scorer.
Follow us @GamingNewsCA on Twitter for the latest news on the sports betting and gaming industry.
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